Dahani fumes at Latif, selectors after Asia Cup omission

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Pakistan fast bowler Shahnawaz Dahani has expressed his disappointment and frustration after being left out of the Pakistan squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023.

All-rounder Faheem Ashraf, who had last played for Pakistan in July 2021, returned to the team after a two-year hiatus. 

The omission of Dahani raised eyebrows, especially when former Pakistani cricketer Rashid Latif shared a list of List-A career stats of Pakistani pacers. Unfortunately, Dahani's impressive stats were missing from Latif's compilation.

Pakistani Pacers List A stats. #AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/kDacUgWoMW

— Rashid Latif | 🇵🇰 (@iRashidLatif68) August 10, 2023

 

This omission did not sit well with Dahani. He tweeted a post highlighting his own stats, implying that he had been overlooked and not given the recognition he deserved as a Pakistani pacer. 

“Seems as if Dahani is not a Pakistani pacer??” Dahani tweeted.

 

PCB will Take Action Against Shahnawaz Dahani for criticising journalists or the selection Committee for no reason. pic.twitter.com/9khHSbiGG9

— Shaharyar Ejaz 🏏 (@SharyOfficial) August 10, 2023

 

The 25-year-old also highlighted the lack of questioning from sports journalists towards the selector. He pointed out that no one had dared to raise questions or bring attention to the stats that support his inclusion in the squad.

“Not even single journalist or cricket analyst even dared to ask questions or show these stats to selectors.” Dahani tweeted.

 

Shahnawaz Dahani isn't happy with the Selection of Asia Cup Squad 😢#Cricket #Pakistan #AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/by1KdEd3Vi

— Fawad Abbas (@iamfknpti) August 11, 2023

 

However, he later deleted his tweets.

On Wednesday, Inzamam-ul-Haq, the head of the national men's selection committee, announced squads for the ACC Men's Asia Cup and the three-match One-Day International series against Afghanistan.

An 18-player squad will take on Afghanistan in Sri Lanka from 22 to 26 August, and it will be trimmed to 17 players for the Asia Cup, which begins from the Multan Cricket Stadium on 30 August when Pakistan plays Nepal.

Pakistan Squad:

Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Saud Shakeel (only Afghanistan series), Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Tayyab Tahir, Usama Mir